Bali Fishing Charter Guide 2026

The Lombok Strait and the Bali Strait are pelagic highways that pull anglers in from all over the world. From fishermen’s jukung in Amed to sportfishing boats at Benoa, here is how to choose a trip, estimate the cost, and fish without damaging Bali’s sea.

Departure Points: From Benoa to Gilimanuk

• Benoa Harbour — the base for larger boats and yacht charters, the most comfortable option for a full day of trolling.
• Serangan jetty — mid-size fibreglass boats, friendlier prices, quick access to southern waters.
• Sanur and Tanjung Benoa — family and beginner trips; small boats launch straight off the beach.
• Amed (Jemeluk) — an East Bali fishing village where the deep drop-off sits close to shore; jukung leave around five in the morning.
• Candidasa and Padangbai — the gateway to the Lombok Strait and its reefs.
• Pemuteran and Gilimanuk — West Bali, calmer seas, but Menjangan waters sit inside a national park.
• Nusa Penida and Lembongan — cliffs and strong currents, the classic arena for giant trevally popping.

Trip Types and What You Are Targeting

• Deep-sea trolling — dragging lures for mahi-mahi, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, barracuda and the occasional marlin in the Lombok Strait.
• Bottom fishing — reef fishing for red snapper and grouper; the friendliest option for beginners and children.
• Jigging — dropping a metal jig dozens of metres down; exhausting but effective for dogtooth tuna and deep snapper.
• Popping — casting poppers along the cliff edge for giant trevally; it needs experience and heavy tackle.
• Traditional jukung fishing — joining local fishermen at dawn; your catch can be cooked at a nearby warung.
• Family or inshore trips — 3–4 hours close to shore, often combined with snorkelling.

Charter Price Ranges and What Is Included

• Traditional jukung, 3–5 hours: from around IDR 1.5–3 million per boat for two people, plus roughly IDR 300,000 per extra angler.
• Engine-powered fibreglass boats, 5–8 hours: generally around IDR 3–8 million per boat, depending on engine size and distance covered.
• Large sportfishing boats or yachts: can exceed IDR 10 million per day; several operators list rates starting at around USD 500.
• Usually included: rods, reels, bait and lures, ice and a cooler box, drinking water, life jackets, captain and crew, sometimes seasickness tablets and snorkelling gear.
• Usually not included: hotel transfers outside set zones, lunch, harbour fees and crew tips. Prices move with the season and fuel costs, so ask for a written breakdown before paying a deposit.

Best Season and the Fish Calendar

• April–October is generally friendlier, but BMKG records June–August as a routine period of strong winds and high waves in the Bali and Lombok Straits. Morning trips are far safer.
• Giant trevally can be targeted year-round.
• Mackerel tuna peaks around June, while yellowfin tuna peaks from August to November.
• Mahi-mahi and wahoo show up most often from October to January.
• The richest species variety usually falls between July and November.

Rules, Ethics and Safety

• Never fish in the core zone of a conservation area. In West Bali National Park, including the waters around Menjangan Island, fishing in the core zone is prohibited, as is dropping anchor on coral and feeding fish.
• The waters of Nusa Penida are a conservation area of roughly 20,000 hectares with a core zone that must not be disturbed — make sure your captain knows the boundaries.
• Manta rays are fully protected by law and may not be caught at all; whale sharks are protected too. If one is hooked, release it carefully.
• Practise catch and release for marlin, sailfish and large breeding fish; take home only what you will eat.
• Never throw line, hooks or plastic into the sea — nylon line is lethal to turtles and reefs. Respect local fishermen’s FADs and nets, and avoid fishing in front of temples.
• Safety: check there is a life jacket for every passenger and that the boat carries GPS, a radio and a first-aid kit; ask about the captain’s experience and permit, check the marine forecast, and confirm your travel insurance covers water activities. On Nyepi, all sea activity stops completely.

Practical Info & Booking

• Benoa Harbour on Google Maps — the main marina for larger boats.
• Serangan jetty on Google Maps — base for mid-size fibreglass boats.
• Jemeluk Beach, Amed on Google Maps — the jukung launch point in East Bali.
• How to book: the websites of active operators such as Sanur Fishing Charter, Blue Marlin Bali or AMED Sportfishing by STA-TL; your hotel concierge; marketplaces such as Klook, Traveloka or FishingBooker; or by walking up to the Serangan jetty and Benoa marina.
• To find other operators and see recent catches: search “bali fishing charter” on Instagram.
• Confirm by message: duration, number of anglers, fishing style, whether you can keep the catch, and the cancellation policy.

The best fishing trips almost always leave before sunrise, when the sea is still flat and the fish are still feeding. Rather than driving down from Ubud or Canggu at three in the morning, use an AccessiaPass hotel voucher to stay the night near the marina — Benoa, Serangan, Sanur or Amed — so you reach the jetty fresh.